Nigerian football team stranded at Libya airport for 16 hours before their AFCON qualifier

The players had no water, food or phone connection.

In a shocking incident, the Nigeria team were left stranded in Libya Airport for over 16 hours ahead of their African Nations Cup of Nations qualifier tomorrow night against Libya.

Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep African we can do better @caf

— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) October 14, 2024

The Nigerian players have confirmed that the airport with no food, water or phone connections. Now the national team are planning to not participate in the qualifiers and hold a protest over the poor treatment which lasted over 16 hours.

See this dragon carry bus come after 16 hours Come Dey video pic.twitter.com/cP7Tv20Bce

— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) October 14, 2024

There were many stars who were left with nothing at the airport. Premier League stars Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Taiwo Awoniyi – plus ex-Leicester pair Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho were also stuck in the same situation.

Ndidi fumed: “This is not football. Very embarrassing. Hostage to a national team. Disgrace.”

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface added: “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours, no food no wifi nowhere to sleep. Africa we can do better.”

Nigeria captain  William Troost-Ekong also revealed the poor hospitality and wrote on X: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason.

pic.twitter.com/UrMAawFdQb

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024

“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.”

“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last-minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.”

“Upon arrival, he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction.”

“He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.”

“At this point, we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game.”

“CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe.”

Latest update

Victor Boniface in his latest tweet stated that “We just want to return to our country”.

This is getting scary now You guys can have the point We just want to return to our country

— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) October 14, 2024

More to follow.

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